Valve



Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS O. DEVEBEUX, O! was DE HATAEAKBBE, CUBA.

VALVE.

Application filed January 8, 1826. Serial No. 79,942.

This invention relatesto valves adapted to control the rate of flow of a liquid by varyin the sectional area of a portion of t e valve. While not limited thereto, the valve herein described is well adapted for controlling the flow of lime emulsion or solution used for flotation in mineral separating apparatus.

Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fi 1 is a central lon 'tudinal section showing the valve adjuste to give a maximum rate of flow; Fi 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1 showilng t e valve adjusted to give a lower rate of ow- Fig. 3 is a detail section of a compressible valve element; Fig. 4 is a cross-section on. line 4-4 of Fi 1' Fi :5 is a cross-section somewhat to Fig. 4 but showing a slightly modified construction; Fi 6 is a longitudinal section illustrating an ternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is an end view of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detail section illustrating a further modification; Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustratmg a further alternative form of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 oi Fiat).

ferrin first to the embodiment of the invention ifiustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,

the valve comprises a metallic bod 10 having a flange portion 12 provide with a knurled ed e 14 and an upwardly extending spud 16 w ich is externally threaded at 18 for engagement with a pipe or other fittin 20. Extending o positely from the splu portion 16, the va ve body is formed wit a sleeve-like portion 22 having a chamber as formed therein for accommodating a compressible'valve element 26 which is preferably formed of rubber or similar resilient compressible material of a composition which will rmit it to contract and expand, re-

I vely, when the pressure is exerted on so and released therefrom.

The sleeve portion 22 is provided on its exterior with screw threads 28 for engagement with a member 30 having suitab e mternal threads for coaction with the threads 28. The member is provided with a knurled flange 32 by which the member may be screwed and unscrewed from the sleeve portion 22.

The member 30 is chambered on the interior and is of such cross-sectional form that an annular shoulder 34 is provided. This shoulder is adapted to press against the flat surface 36 of a block 38 whose opposite face 40 bears on the underside of the compressible valve element 26.

The valve element 26 is formed with a central longitudinally extending passage 42 which is substantially in alignment with openings 44 and 46 formed respectively, in the spud 16 and block 38. in the particular valve illustrated in this figure, the valve element 26 is adapted to regulate the rate of flow of liquid from the pipe 20 and the valve may be said to form part of a nozzle structure. For this reason, openings 44' and 4:6 flare outwardly from the passage in the valve element 26. The outlet orifice 48 of the member 30 also flares outwardly as shown, the

walls of theopenings 46 and 48 being tapered or inclined at substantially the same angle so as to form a cone-like discharge outlet.

The normal shape and size of the passage 42 of the compressible valve element 26 18 indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. And the passage in its normal state is of such cross-sectional area that the maximum volume of liquid can be passed therethrough in a given length of time. When it is desired to cut down the rate of flow, the member 30 is turned so as to screw it on the sleeve ortion 22 and thereby forcibly press the bloc 38 against the valve element 4 26. This action exerts sufiicient pressure on said valve element to decrease the cross-sectional area of the passage 42. Comparison of Fig. 2 with Fig. 1 illustrates the decrease in diameter of the passage 42.

This, of course, will control the rate of flow of liquid from the pipe 20 through the valve. It is apparent that by manipulating the member 30, a fine regulation of the voluineof fluid passing through the valve can be obtained. The hole or pas e in the valve is circular and it remains su tiall circular at all times regardless of the a justability. It is clear t at the decrease in seetional area of the passage 42 is due to the fact that the element 26 being confined within the chamber 24 cannot ex and outward. And when pressure is exerte the expansion of the mass must be inward resulting in restricting the effective area of the passage 42.

It is not to be understood, however, that I am limited to a construction in which the compressible material must always expand inward. I may arrange the sleeve portlon 22 with recesses 50 as indicated in Fig. 5 which will permit portions 52 of the valve element 25 to bulge outwardly when compressed. This arrangement Wlll give a slightly finer adjustment of the area of the passage 42, it being understood that the rovision for the body of material in expan ing both outward and inward, the change in diameter of the passage will take place more gradually.

The compressible valve element need not necessarily be confined in the chamber such as indicated at 24 in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 11- lustrates such an arrangement wherein the valve element 26 is formed with an outer portion 54 of comparatively hard rubber and an inner portion 56 of a softer more readily compressed rubber, the passage being formed in the soft rubber. There is no enclosing chamber for this valve element 26. The area of its passage 42 is varied by varying the distance between a pair of flange members 58 and 60 the former being screwed on a supply pipe 20 and bolts 62 bein provided which pass through suitable ai ned openings in the members 58 and 60. hese members are provided with bosses 59 and 61 which press against the opposite faces of the soft rubber of the valve element 26. It will be readily understood that by manipulating the nuts 64 the eflective sectional area of the passage 42 will be varied.

Fig. 8 illustrates a further modification of the invention wherein the valve element 26 is of substantiall frusto-conical form and ada ted to be con ned in a substantially conical c amber 66 formed in a metallic body 10. A suitable block 38 and member 30 are provided for compressing the rubber ele- .ment 26 so as to vary the area of the ort 42.

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have illustrate a further alternative form of the invention Wherein the effective area of the passage 42 of a compressible valve element 26 is varied by pressure exerted at the peripher instead of compressing the element longitu inally as in the other figures. In this form of the invention, the pipe 20 carries a flange member 68 the undersurface 70 of which rests on the upper surface of the valve element 26. Another flange plate 72 is held in spaced relationshi from the member 68 by spacers 74 through which suitable fastening bolts 76 pass. Encircling the valve, element 26 is a band or split ring 78 the ends 80 and 82 of which extend radially outward. These ends are perforated for the reception of a bolt 84 which is provided with a suitable nut 86 adapted to be tightened up to contract the band or split ring so as to compress the valve element 26. The split ring 78 is held centrally with respect to the plates 68 and 72 by means of suitable upstanding lugs 88.

My improved type of valve while not limited thereto is particularly useful for controlling the flow of liquids containing small particles in suspension. The rubber or other compressible com osition used is more durable than iron or rass in resisting detrition or abrasion and in practice, I have determined that my improved valve has a longer life than ordinary valves heretofore used. The compressible valve element has a further advantage in handling solutions which are liable to cake or encrust on the surface. The caked particles can be broken and dislodged by either expanding or contracting the valve. A further advantage of my improved valve over conventional t es of globe-valves and gate-valves is that t are is no obstruction of any kind to the smooth and straight passage of the liquid through my valve. In the case of globe valves, the liquid is compelled to make an abrupt change in its direction andin gate-valves the guide grooves for the gates revent smooth passa e for the liquid through the same. These 0 structions in the path of flow caused by changing direction in the case of the globe valve and by grooves and guiding members in gate-valves set up eddy currents which result in a diminished or uneven flow through the valve.

While I have described with great particularity the details of construction of the embodiments of the invention herein illustrated, it is not to be construed that I am limited thereto as various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A valve comprising a metallic body formed with an inwardly converging throat and having a hollow cylindrical portion adacent said throat the exterior of which is screw threaded, a substantiall cylindrical valve element of compressi le material seated in said hollow cylindrical portion, said element having a longitudinal assa e therethrough, a bloclc engaging said e ement and loosely fitting the hollow cylindrical portion of the valve body and a member engaging said block having threads to fit the threaded exterior of said valve bod 2. A valve of the character described comprising a body formed with an inwardly converging throat at one end and with an externally threaded hollow cylindrical portion, a rubber valve element seated in the cavity in memes 8 said cylindrical portion, said valve element v ranged to press said block against said rub-- having. a 'passztge extending -there'through ber valve element soas to restrict the crosswhich flares outwardly '.toward said flaring" sectional area of the opening in said valve throat, ablock formed with'an outwardly element;

5 flaring throat, 'said blockengaging said rub- In witness whereof, I have hereunto ber valve element and a threaded member signed my name.- screwing on said cylindrical portion ar- FRANCIS C. DEVEREUX. 

